Abstract

The American Committee for Devastated France collection contains the annual
reports, promotional pamphlets and minutes of this post-World War I relief
organization. Newspaper clippings and routine correspondence between the group's
treasurer and other staff members are also included in the collection.

Description

Description

The collection contains annual reports, minutes, records of account, promotional
pamphlets and several news clippings praising the work of the ACDF. A report by
an unknown author chronicles the establishment of École de Scoutisme, and
recommends facilitating "the scout movement of France." Approximately half of
the collection consists of the correspondence (1920-1926) of ACDF treasurer
Alexander C. Humphreys. The letters and telegrams document exchanges between
Humphreys and several members of the Executive Committee (especially Chairman
Anne Morgan) on funds allocation. The correspondence also includes donor
acknowledgments and routine messages regarding meetings of the Board of
Directors and the Executive Committee. Several letters contain hand-written
calculations.

Collection Creator
History

The American Committee for Devastated France (ACDF) had its origins in the Civilian
Division of the American Fund for French Wounded (est. 1916) and was organized in
1918 to provide emergency relief and restoration aid to the citizens of post-World
War I France. Its original stated purpose was to establish a community center which
would determine the needs of French citizens, and act as a liaison between them and
American relief workers. The group was also to "further understanding and friendship
between France and the United States."

The ACDF, staffed primarily by American women of a professional background, set out
first to provide basic necessities: food, clothing, shelter and day care. Beginning
in 1919, it concentrated on more constructive aid, such as vocational, educational,
and physical training, providing farm equipment, housing and building restoration,
public health facilities, libraries and scouting camps. The organization collected
nearly five million dollars from over one million U.S. donors and members through
canvassing and fund-raising benefits. ACDF received numerous awards, including the
Gold Medal of French Reconnaissance (1920).

In March 1924, ACDF announced that it had completed its work and officially
disbanded. All assets were liquidated and remitted to French organizations to carry
on projects begun by ACDF, such as the Camp-École de Scoutisme and the Comité
Francais de la Bibliothéque Moderne.

Processing Information

Access and Use

Access Restrictions

Collection is open for research.

Use Restrictions

Single photocopies may be made for research purposes. Permission to publish
materials from the collection must be requested from the Curator of the Public
Policy Papers. Researchers are responsible for determining any copyright
questions.

Preferred Citation

American Committee for Devastated France Records; 1919-1926, Public Policy Papers, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, Princeton University Library.